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Teen's Epilepsy Service Dog Is Honored With Yearbook Photo

Texas middle school student Rachel Benke was lucky enough this year to have her seventh-grade yearbook photo appear right next to that of her best friend — a Labrador-golden retriever mix named Taxi. An epilepsy service dog who can predict the onset of seizures, Taxi has been by Rachel’s side for four years, and her mom thought it only right that he be allowed to remain there in the yearbook, too.“Last year when their yearbooks came out, I said, ‘Hey, where's Taxi’s picture?' But I was kind of joking," Rachel’s mom, Teresa Benke, tells Yahoo Shine. This year, Teresa — who attends picture day every year with her daughter, because Rachel’s condition makes it difficult for her to make eye contact and smile for the camera — really made it happen. “After Rachel’s picture, I said, ‘OK, Taxi’s turn,’” she says. And lo and behold, the photographer went for it, taking a quick snap of the handsome dog.

Guide dog lands spot in yearbook next to girl he takes care of: 'They're such a great team'

Marisa Kabas TODAY contributor

This year, one of the photos in the yearbook at Hector Garcia Middle School is not like the other.

Pictured alongside the portraits of smiling students is one particularly friendly face — Taxi Benke, a service dog who looks out for 14-year-old Rachel Benke.

Rachel and Taxi have been inseparable for the last four years, ever since they were connected by Cindy Buechner, who trains seizure alert dogs. When Taxi first came into Buechner's life, she immediately thought of Rachel's mom Teresa who she'd met at a jewelry party, and knew the dog would be immensely helpful for the family...